Lessons from my 2-year-old

I can't get over how much this crazy, wild 2-year-old makes me smile every day. It is amazing to not only watch his personality develop, but to watch him do things already, at such a young age, that make this momma so proud.

Best example today, his Kindermusik class has a ritual song at the end of every class, where all the kids learn to walk around and shake hands with one another as they say goodbye. I was amazed to stand back and watch Asher march around on his own and extend his hand to each and every 2-3 year old in the room confidently, and when getting to the 10-year-old mentally/physically disabled boy in our class, he never hesitated.

The tears well up in my eyes and it humbles me to realize the lessons HE continues to teach ME without even realizing it:

1) to love unconditionally
2) to have an open and kind heart
3) to not be afraid to show the world your passion
3) to be blind to physical differences we tend to judge by
4) to wake each day smiling and excited for what it may have in store

HE. IS. AMAZING. I am blessed beyond words to have this amazing little man in my life. I hope I can continue to be open to everything he has to teach me about life. After all, he sees it best through such pure eyes.

And I couldn't go without sharing one of the things Asher is most passionate about- music. It gives me such joy to hear him sing and watch him dance. And Jacks Big Music Show is one of the best for that!

Boys Night

It was just another Sunday night at the Kelderman house tonight.

My sweet, lovable 2-year-old

Talk about mood swings. I’m not sure what it is, but Asher tends to follow this odd, perhaps hormonal or molar-induced behavior pattern. He’ll be an angel for 2 weeks, then a bit fussy/needy for a week, then a week or so as an absolutely rotten, demanding 2-year-old terror that makes this mommy need a drink. Then it starts all over. I don’t understand it, but definitely develop anxiety around it, wondering when the next curveball will come. I’m sure it’s ultimately just life with a toddler, but hopefully it’s something he’ll grow out of so he can be his amazingly sweet-self 100% of the time (come on….. a mom can dream).

Regardless, I have been enjoying a wonderful week with my baby boy, and thought I’d make a list of all the little things he’s done/said lately, that just make me love him more with each passing minute.

• I love it that at his age, he already says “bless you” when I sneeze.
• I’m delighted when I hear him gently in the backseat of the car, singing along with his Kindermusik songs.
• I adore the moment I walk in the door at daycare, and he runs screaming over to me “mommmyyyyyy!!!” with a happiness that almost invokes tears from him and me!
• I find silly delight in his crazy, curly, sometimes out-of-control hair!
• My heart melts when out of nowhere, even if I’m sitting beside him, he’ll outstretch his arms and say “mommy, wanna come see me?”
• I giggle with glee when I watch him dance passionately around the house to whatever music might be playing.
• I take peace in listening to him breathe on the monitor when I go to sleep at night.
• I sit in delightful amazement when he says things like “I’m a stinker-pot.” Or my favorite, “mommy, you’re my sweetie pea.” (both names I call him).
• I soak up every moment where he’ll ask to rock-a-bye (even though he’s stalling going to bed) and will lay on my chest in a big bear hug and ask me to sing to him.
• I tear up when I get him in the car after school and he’ll say “I wanna go see my brothers!” He loves them so, and misses them when they’re not around. 
• I smile til my cheeks hurts when I hear his bold, infectious laugh when being tickled. It’s the best sound in the world.
• I selfishly love the fact that he has his favorite “moosey moose” lovey – it reminds me that he’s still my gentle, sweet, sensitive, loving baby boy.

The list could go on and on, and I take enjoyment just sitting here reminding myself of how absolutely wonderful my little boy is. He is and always will be the first thing I look forward to each morning, and the last thought in my head before I close my eyes. And if stories aren’t enough, here are his 2-year pictures to prove his adorableness.

He's definitely a big personality, for better or worse.  And I love every minute of it.

Asher turned 2!

I can't believe it- Asher is 2. We had a very busy weekend celebrating my brothers 40th birthday and Asher's 2nd! I bawled like a baby on the eve of his birthday as he asked to rock with him. I couldn't help it- he will always be my baby no matter how big he gets. So on to the happy pictures from his party! I will precede it by saying this boy is SO photogenic, but has an amazing ability to never, ever look at the camera! Oh well- he was a busy boy and was loving all the excitement (he especially loved it when the whole room sang to him!)